farmdoc's blog post number 643

Here’s this week’s compendium. This week…

1. the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs issued a list showing as at 20.1.10 – eight days after the Haiti earthquake – the Saudi Arabian and Iranian governments hadn’t contributed even a brass razoo to the relief effort [1]. No comment needed.

2. I saw, and appreciated, this item which points out that the international agencies who condemn Israel for its ‘disproportionate response’ when it’s attacked are not mentioning Israel's disproportionate response to the human suffering in Haiti [2]. Ho hum.

3. A week ago, the BMJ reported that angiotensin receptor blocking drugs are associated with a significant reduction in both the incidence and progression of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia [3]. That’s welcome news indeed.

4. Grammar Girl explained the origin of ‘brouhaha’ [4] What a super word.

5. I saw on the UK Real Bread Campaign’s website a page about ‘Community Supported Baking’ [5]. I’d love to get involved in CSB. Maybe when I stop working.

6. Australia’s main domestic airlines announced they won’t force obese people to pay for two seats despite the adoption of that policy by Air France-KLM [6]. I don’t know it that’s a good or bad thing. Maybe neither.

7. my weekly ‘ostrich award’ goes to General Motors senior executive Bob Lutz who slammed scientists and environmentalists, saying global warming has little to do with humans and more to do with solar flares and sunspots [7]. Self-interest rears its ugly head. Shame on you, sir.

8. family-wise darling Meg celebrated her birthday, and darling Indi joined the blogosphere. Also last weekend Alzheimer’s: a Love Story was reviewed in the Hobart Mercury, and today it’s reviewed in the Age.

Finally, I wish you, dear Farmdoc’s Blog readers, a wonderful week.